MUMBAI: Malaika Arora, who has done several hit item songs in Hindi films, recently shot her first Telugu dance number in Hyderabad and was in for a culture shock.
The "Chaiyaa Chaiyaa" girl, who teamed up with Telugu filmdom's reigning superstar Mahesh Babu in the song, describes the experience as "hysterical".
"All those words and movements and some of those steps - the whole bump-and-grind routine that I was used to was completely changed," Malaika, whose "Chaiyaa Chaiyaa" with Shah Rukh Khan remained a chartbuster for months, said.
What Malaika found truly weird was the complete absence of interaction with her leading man during the dance.
"When I danced with Shah Rukh Khan in 'Dil Se' and 'Kaal', we were dancing together. But the entire definition of screen-heroism in the south is different. With Mahesh there was absolutely no interaction even though we were dancing on the same set.
"He was playing the unattainable Adonis and I was the dancer. I found it hilarious. Mahesh said all of five words to me during the entire shooting. But, let me add, he's a thorough gentleman."
Malaika requested the team for a more interactive dance.
"But I was told this is the way it is in the south. So I just did my work. It was nevertheless fun and worth it because I did it for a friend."
Malaika signed on for the song because her old friend and actress Namrata Shirodhkar, who is married to Mahesh, requested her to do so.
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